This post brought to you by Filene’s Basement. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Stuff Parents Need.
I lived in Boston from 2002-2004 while pursuing a Master’s degree. I was young, newly married, and way out of my comfort zone in a big city of New England. To be honest, I often felt as though I didn’t even speak the same language as the folks in Boston simply due to have different the vibe was there from the South.
But I found a place right in the middle of downtown Boston that made me feel like a million bucks every time I visited (and that’s saying something because we were quite strapped for cash during this season of our life!). That place was Filene’s Basement. 
Have you ever heard of this legendary store? This chain of 20+ brick and mortar stores could be found in various locations throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states (as well as in Chicago). Perhaps its biggest claim to fame was it’s “Running of the Brides” event, an annual fire sale on bridal gowns that would draw massive crowds and near frantic dashes to grab something incredible for a bargain basement price.
I learned about Filene’s Basement through a roommate of ours (yes, we were married and had roommates…told you we were strapped for cash!) and fell instantly in love with the hum of excitement that greeted you as you stepped off the escalator and into a vast space with bin after bin of bargains.
You had to be willing to roll up your sleeves and do some digging to find treasures, but if you had the time, you could save some money. I definitely didn’t have much money, and so, I gave quite a bit of my time to Filene’s Basement in search of the best possible finds.
Would you believe that 11 years after I made my last purchast at Filene’s Basement, I still use the item that I purchased every single day? It’s my wallet, and I’ve looked in earnest half a dozen times at wallets to replace this one, but I just can’t seem to bring myself to do it. It’s my last tangible connection to a place I so loved to visit for a break from the stress of graduate school, especially since it was one of only a very few places where I could actually afford to buy something thanks to the deep discounts.
I “splurged” on this Liz Claiborne wallet for $20 (side note: I have the ability to remember the price I paid for stuff, even a decade later. It’s a rare and almost entirely useless gift so I’m super pumped to be putting it to use right now!). It’s got so much sentimental value to me that even though I’ve upgraded to a Coach purse by this point in my adult life, this wallet just keeps on keeping on with me. I can’t very well head back to a Filene’s Basement to get a new wallet because the last one closed in 2011. Thankfully, it turns out that you can have a functional keepsake, after all.
The Return of Filene’s Basement
Well surprise, surprise, friends. My beloved Filene’s Basement is making a comeback, and in a way that is so very 2015. This fall get ready to shop ’till you drop for bargains galore at FilenesBasement.com. Wherever you live, now Filene’s Basement is accessible to you, which is just the best thing ever. On the website you’ll find a curated online marketplace that you can customize to your personal taste and you’ll find branded apparal, accessories and even home goods. So now instead of having to dig through all those bins (which was actually sort of fun at the time but would now be something I wouldn’t have time for) you can simply click around online to “Find What’s You.”
I think it might be time to retire my wallet after all, because I think I’ve finally found the place that will have it’s replacement. I’ll be buying it at Filene’sBasement.com.